I'm joining the #2018PlanningParty hosted by
Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl.
I always chuckle when someone tells me that they think I'm organized. I'll be honest and share that life races by so quickly. I love living life as it happens, but I also realize I can't get everything done that I want to without a plan. Finding the balance is the key for me and I'll confess I need to do more planning and time management throughout the year.
This year, as I proceed with a personal blog (Creative Latitude) I've decided to come out with sharing my personal plans. I'm joining the
#2018Planning Party, hosted by Quilting Jet Girl. I hope you'll click thru and check it out, as there are benefits of making annual plans for your goals.
My planning process always starts with reflection on my plans for the previous year. In
2017 Plans that I shared for QuiltShopGal were not all achieved, as planned. But it was a great year for me to step back and think about where I was spending time, after 10 years of blogging to help increase awareness of new products, designers, events and encourage everyone to have fun and build on their skills, as well as encouraging talented quilters to make money with their skills. I had thought by now I would have completely stopped blogging as QuiltShopGal. But this year has shown me how much I really enjoy learning about those in the business, learning about new products, and trying to help promote, in a manner that also helps to improve my skills, and the skills of other, as well as create fun. I think I've found a good compromise to go forward with QuiltShopGal in 2017, while also allowing more personal time. For 2017 QuiltShopGal will be a "part-time" activity, with some clear downtime windows throughout the year. But the voice will remain the same (not about me as much as about those in the business of quilting, sewing, embroidery).
2018 Goals with Clear Deliverables
For years, I've been asked to share a more personal side vs QuiltShopGal's focus on those in the business. I can say I've officially launched Creative Latitude to share such insights. As time permits, I'll be sharing insights on what creative activity I'm working on. For 2018, I came up with 10 goals:
1) Make a dent in my UFO pile (don't ask how many)
{above} a Bella Bella quilt, which I originally dreamed of making many, but right now I know I need to focus on finishing this one.
{above} A collection of Hawaiian applique' blocks have been waiting for me to do something. I used to enjoy hand quilting, but have moved to prefer freemotion quilting. For years I never thought I was good enough for FMQ on a Hawaiian style quilt, but I've decided to go for it.
{above} This hand pieced quilt top was made years ago while traveling. It was also made when I was more comfortable with hand quilting than freemotion quilting, but never found time to hand quilt it. I've decided that this is the year that I will finish it with FMQ on a domestic machine.
Trust me, there are more, but I don't want to let anyone think I'm wacko (trust me I am).
2) Work on my organization and planning skills. Go back to using a Planner, which worked well for me when I worked for Corporate America.
I recently won
The Quilter's Planner for 2018 from Becky Goldsmith of Piece O Cake Designs. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to using it to help me plan and organize in 2018.
3) I've always enjoyed making charity quilts, but as I find I have limited time to sew, I feel I've not been spending enough time to help others. My realistic goal for 2018 is to make 2 good size charity quilts, with a stretch goal of making 6. Historically, I rotate my focus year-to-year for the cause. There are so many great causes, where people need help of so many sorts, especially good quilty hugs. For 2018, my focus will very much be on:
Victims of the California fires. The
Venture Modern Quilt Guild has a call out for quilt blocks (or quilts, supplies, etc).
4) Make handmade for Christmas 2018 and be prepared, far in advance, so I don't get stressed. This means I'll start making handmade gifts in Spring 2018!
5) I want to push my design skills (I've never considered myself a designer), by:
submitting a design to
Moda Bake Shop (and hopefully get accepted).
6) While I'm not an expert, over the years I've learned a lot about blogging and blog tools. As QuiltShopGal, I'd like to work with others to coordinate a blogging event with many bloggers, to share tips about blogging, including learnings over the years and their opinions for where blogging is headed. If you are interested in participating, let me know. This will most likely be scheduled late Spring '18. While I obtained experience with QuiltShopGal in a self hosted blog and unique domain, I want to research and build expertise with domain mapping for a Wordpress blog as well as a blogger blog. I'll also be looking for ways to reduce the costs for maintaining QuiltShopGal, as I go forward. It has certainly put a dent in my personal quilting budget over the years.
7) Spend more time being creative and having fun. Where I can, I hope to share my fun with creativity, as well as any tips, tutorials and inspiration I can share - here on Creative Latitude. Again, this is my personal blog, so I hope those that may want to follow me on my journey don't have high expectations.
8) Continue to build my freemotion quilting skills, learn more FMQ motifs, as well as working with rulers. Tackle at least one small wholecloth quilt, ideally 2.
9) Continue to exercise, eat well, do what I can to maintain good health, or as good as it can be.
10) Speak kind words. Encourage others. Listen. Spend more time thinking before I speak.
I hope you'll consider joinng the #2018PlanningParty. I'm a big advocate that taking time to reflect, to plan, to set goals, is a good thing. And, if you don't achieve all your goals don't ever beat yourself up. This is a process to guide you. We all know life can get in the way, but goals should be viewed as a good thing vs a thing you don't want to do as you think you'll never achieve them.
